This week a review paper by three FABIans, Bernard Slippers, Brett Hurley and Mike Wingfield, was published online in the prestigious Annual Review of Entomology, the top ranked journal in entomology with a current impact factor of 13.021. The paper reviews the recent breakthroughs in research that challenge previous perceptions on the biology and control of the woodwasp and its fungal symbiont. It clearly illustrates the complexity of invasions such as this one, where the environment, host trees, the insect, its symbionts and biocontrol agents, together make up a mix of evolving variables of which the collective outcome is often highly unpredictable. The review also focuses on the control of the wasp and on lessons learnt that can assist in helping to develop more efficient and sustainable management strategies.

A copy of the online early version of the review can be downloaded from the website of the Annual Review of Entomology by subscribers, or can be requested by email from Bernard Slippers or Brett Hurley.

Slippers B, Hurley BP, Wingfield MJ. (2015) Sirex Woodwasp: A model for evolving management paradigms of invasive forest pests. Annual Review of Entomology 60. DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-010814-021118